Case of alleged murder in Pointe-Sapin delayed to mid-August

The case ofa 70-year-old Pointe-Sapin man charged with first-degree murder has been delayed another month.

Alphonse Daigle isaccused in the homicide ofAndr Desprs, 52,whom police found dead when theyresponded to a shooting in April at a residence in Pointe-Sapin, about 130 kilometres north of Moncton.

Daigle appearedTuesday in Moncton provincial court, wherea date for a preliminary hearing was expected to be set.

Instead, Judge Paul Duffie granted an adjournment until Aug. 16.

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Daniel Gallant, a defence lawyer who appeared as an agent for TJ Burke, said the defence received disclosure documents just a day earlier and needed more time to review them.

Gallant also requested the case continue in English, instead of in French.

Daigle first appeared in court on April 16, three days after Desprs died, and was to appear again in mid-May but the case was delayed then as well.

Family members and friends of the victim filled two rows in the courtroom.

After court, Gallant said that the defence has a right to have sufficient time to review evidence, and that certain delays are a typical part of the court process.

He confirmed Daigle will appear in court in person again in August, when a date for the preliminary hearing is expected to be set.